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Chin powered Wexford to a historic Championship win over Cork last July and joked that Youths boss Shane Keegan sees him as a central defensive ‘brute’.

He had a previous soccer stint with Waterford United in 2011 and could feature for Wexford as soon as Friday night when they host Bray Wanderers.

Chin said: “Soccer was a big part of my life as a child and I played for a while with Waterford United but I missed the GAA and the hurling too much. I decided to come back and play for Wexford and that basically eliminated soccer for me. I never thought I’d go back.

“Then when Shane Keegan gave me the phone call it was very surprising. It was a total curve ball, to be honest, came totally out of the blue.

“I took a while to think about it and to consider it. I said to myself, sure I’m finished with the club and not doing anything for the next month or six weeks. Why not? Deep down, I’m surprised Shane had the faith in me to ask but I’m going to give it my best shot.”

The Carlow IT student said he isn’t sure if he’ll be pitched straight into the injury-hit team or if he’s viewed as defensive cover.

Powerful Chin said: “I can’t really answer that one, it’s totally Shane’s call. If I impress him over the next few weeks I presume I’ll feature somehow. I just hope that I can contribute in some way, even if it’s a case of boosting morale, whatever I can do.

“I played right full-back with Waterford United but I think Shane has a plan for me being in more of a central role. We’ll have to see how that pans out. I suspect he might be looking for a bit of a brute in that position and he thought of me!”

Chin showed his flexibility and ability to switch codes at short notice in 2013 when he performed a dual role for Wexford’s senior teams. On one particular occasion he dashed home from Armagh after a football postponement and returned just in time to feature for the hurlers.

Chin said: “My thinking really is that I’m at an age where I can give something like this a go and see how it works out. I’m going to enjoy the challenge and whatever occasions I’m involved in.

“It’s going to be the highest level of football I’ve played at in my life so it’ll be a step up for sure. I’m fully aware I’m coming into a group that have been together all season and that I haven’t earned my way into it, the manager just sees something in me. But I can’t do much more than give it my best.”

Chin assured hurling fans that it will be business as usual when the League of Ireland season finishes and that he’ll focus fully on the small ball again.

He said: “Hurling is my number one. If this was for six-months I couldn’t commit to it. It’s more than it works for me at the time of the year we’re in so I’m going to give it a blast.”